Williams ready For hit-Run Tour

[Black_White]

HeraldSun 4/4/03

Williams ready for hit-run tour
By PAUL MALONE
04apr03

AUSTRALIAN cricket tour pace replacement Brad Williams says he would not mind flying back from the Caribbean without having played a game.







Williams, 28, will fly from Perth today to cover for Glenn McGrath, who has returned to Sydney after his wife, Jane, was diagnosed with secondary cancer of the hip after first fighting breast cancer in 1997.
The West Australian paceman will not arrive in time to play in Australia's only warm-up match, starting in Georgetown, Guyana, on Sunday, before the Test series.

Australian chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said McGrath was expected to be able to return to the tour.

But the uncertainty surrounding his availability meant selectors had to make a decision on a replacement bowler.

"At this stage, it all depends on what happens with Glenn. I could be there a week or two and then come home," Williams said in Brisbane, where he was to have played for Australia A in today's day-night match against South Africa A at the Gabba.

"These are disappointing circumstances and our thoughts are with Glenn and Jane.

"It's an opportunity for me to travel with the Australian cricket team and learn from the best. If you don't get a game, so be it."

Hohns said selectors would talk with McGrath later in the week to see if he felt able to return to the tour.

"We felt it was necessary to call in another player to boost the bowling stocks," Hohns said. "Brad has bowled consistently during the summer and has been in contention for some time."

Australia already has Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee, Andy Bichel and uncapped Ashley Noffke on tour, leaving the tourists' pace cupboard well stocked for the first Test, which starts in Georgetown next Friday.

[Donny]

This subject is well covered - posted on Thursday - in the cricket forum under 'West Indies Tour' and 'McGrath Coming Home'